Ruth Rosalie Smith

Ruth Rosalie Smith (née Purcell) – or as her friends and family called her “Toddy” – passed away on January 11, 2025. Born on April 3, 1938, Toddy grew up in Waseca, Minnesota. She was a gloriously independent spirit. Toddy met her future husband Kent Smith in the Fifth Grade. She saw some boys playing baseball and she wanted to join. Kent wouldn’t let her because she was a girl – so Toddy beat him up. They became fast friends ever since. At Waseca High School, Toddy was a Drum Majorette for the Blue Jays and also played French Horn in the school’s orchestra and band. In 1960, Toddy graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. While at the “U” – Toddy was also a member of her beloved sisterhood: the Delta Delta Delta sorority. 

Kent and Toddy raised three children – Trisha, David and Scott – and several Dandie Dinmont Terriers. When the kids were little, they lived in Terrace Park, Ohio. Toddy danced in musicals for the “Terrace Park Players,” and coached the gymnastics team and girls’ soccer and softball teams. She drove her little athletes around in a blue Volkswagen bus that would be the envy of every surfer dude in the world! Toddy also led her little athletes in the Terrace Park Labor Day Parade as festive clowns who did cartwheels and other gymnastic feats for the cheering crowds. In 1973, Toddy and Kent moved the family to Newport Beach, California. 

After Kent passed away in 1991, Toddy decided to return to Waseca and be closer to her family and friends. She bought the “George Herter House” on Clear Lake and transformed it into a breathtaking yet warm and welcoming home. In 2007, The Waseca Historic Preservation Commission presented Toddy with a Community Preservation Award for preserving the George Herter House. Toddy also enjoyed doing extensive family research and amassed an incredible library of family history that has enriched us and future generations beyond measure. Toddy was also an avid Twins and Vikings fan – but she always supported Trisha’s cookie business with the New York Yankees nonetheless. 

Toddy will be missed by everyone who knew her. She loved you all – she adored you!! And she enjoyed every precious moment that she shared with you. Toddy is survived by her devoted sister Mona Ripka and family, sister-in-law Patricia Purcell and family, brother Robert Mackey and family, her son Scott Smith, Scott’s beautiful wife Purvi Smith and their two boys Shailen and Milan Smith and the amazing Kobawala family, Toddy’s son David Smith, her daughter Trisha Smith, several Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppies, and her extended family. Toddy also has the world’s best group of friends and neighbors that she has always considered to be a part of her family. Toddy was preceded in death by her mom Ruth Rosalie Mackey, her brother Ronald Purcell, her beloved Aunt Ruby Bartz and her husband Kent Gregory Smith. 

Toddy’s family will hold a Celebration of Life in the spring – her favorite time of year – when the flowers start to bloom, the birds start to sing and life begins again. 

In lieu of flowers, Toddy’s family requests instead that anyone who wants can make a donation to Benedictine Living in Shakopee, Minnesota. 

Please send a check and in the re: section on your check, you can reference “In Loving Memory of Ruth Rosalie Smith” and mail it to the following address:

• Benedictine Living Community-Shakopee 
• St. Gertrude’s & The Gardens 
• c/o Dulce Linares Cortes 
• Business Office Manager 
• 1850 Sarazin Street Shakopee, MN 55379
• 
  

You can also make your donation online at https://www.benedictineliving.org. 

Benedictine’s St. Gertrude’s and Gardens Living Community gave Toddy – or as they called her “Miss Ruthie” – beyond exceptional care and love during her final months. Toddy’s family thanks Chelsea, Blue, Dulce and the entire St. Gertrude’s and St. Croix Hospice Teams for taking such loving care of our mommy. 

Rest in peace, Toddy. You are now free to fly and sing with the blue jays.